Senior shows unconventional talents

Senior Travis Williams stars in play “You Can’t Take It With You,” March 31 to April 2. Photo by Jake Collins

When people think of talent, they think of things like dancing, singing or playing an instrument that seems really cool.

However, senior Travis Williams, who instead showed off his impressive Rubik’s cube abilities in the talent portion of Mr. Webster, is a little different than the rest.

Matching colored squares together isn’t the only talent Williams has been known to showcase, though. He was in choir his freshman through junior years and has been an integral part in the drama program, starring in plays like “You Can’t Take It With You,” which showed this year. Williams also likes to do blackout poetry during his free time and is trying to learn both French and harmonica.

Being an Eagle Award nominee, Williams must have a good relationship with at least a few teachers, and he does, with Nicholas Kirschman.

“I have always viewed the Eagle Award as like, the best person. The best human being that graduates here, and so that’s why I nominated Travis. I’ve only done it twice, only nominated people twice in 16 years,” Kirschman said.

About his relationship with Kirschman, Williams said, “He has been a huge support for me all four years of high school. In my freshmen confusion, sophomore angst, junior dread and senior wanderlust, Kirschman has always been there to listen and give his wise advice. He’s not perfect, but he doesn’t pretend to be. I think that’s what makes him a great role model. He’s a good man, and he tries his best. There are a lot of people who he’s helped find their place here at the school, and I’m glad I had the honor of being his student, or maybe I can say friend now.”

About his accomplishments, Williams said, “I’ve done a lot of things that I’m proud of. I mean, getting on stage, getting into colleges, and even making it through gym class were all things I was worried about going into high school, but as I go forward I hope to keep topping those achievements. Ultimately, I think I’ll always be proud of the friends I made. I know a lot of really cool people, and if they’re willing to put up with me, well I guess I did alright.”

After high school, Williams is off to pursue psychology at Brown University. About why he is, Williams said, “Humans are the most interesting, wonderful and inspiring things in the universe, and I would love to be able to work with people all the time. Whatever I do, I hope to make the world a better place. It’s the least I can do for all it’s given me.”

Whatever Travis Williams pursues, whether it be for the rest of this life or the next, he’s sure to make a lasting impact on the world, and Webster students will find it a pleasure to brag that he went to their school, not anyone else’s.

News Briefs

Winter Dance tickets are on sale before school, during both lunches and after school in the Activities Office for $10.

The dance will be Saturday, Jan. 26, from 7-9:30 p.m. in Roberts Gym.

All fines/fees must be paid in order to purchase a ticket, and outside guest forms are available in the activities office.

There is no limit of outside guests; however, any non-WGHS student must complete an outside guest form.

ECHO staff earns NSPA, CSPA honors

ECHO staffers were informed of several honors in the last few weeks.

ECHO was one of 44 student publications to be named National Scholastic Press Association Online Pacemaker Finalists.

Pacemaker finalists will receive plaques at the Opening Ceremony of the Spring National High School Journalism Convention in Anaheim, CA, on April 25, and Pacemaker winners will be announced April 27.

Columbia Scholastic Press Association awarded the ECHO a Gold Medalist Rating with All Colombian Honors for Essentials for its hybrid (print and online) platform.

The judge commented, “The Echo has something for every reader. Storytelling quotes bring events alive for the reader. The publication is all about the students at Webster Grove High School and their lives, their thoughts. One cannot help but feel a connection to the school community after reading this newspaper and exploring the digital site. That’s what makes it so special. ”

Also NSPA awarded the ECHO a First Class rating for its 2017-18 print version.

Mini-cheerleaders perform at a home football game after the cheer junior camp in 2016. Photo by Elise Keller